CHELSEA Whatsapp groups are "in meltdown" after players were left "devastated" to discover Mauricio Pochettino’s exit via social media as a number hit out themselves online.
The Argentine became the third full-time head coach to depart Stamford Bridge in less than two years since Todd Boehly and their Clearlake owners took over.
Pochettino, 52, led Chelsea to a fifth-straight Premier League win with Sunday’s 2-1 home win over Bournemouth.
That final match in charge proved to be enough to clinch sixth place and a return to European football after a year out.
The likes of Cole Palmer, who shared an emotional statement of gratitude after the news broke online, have flourished under Poch’s tutelage this term despite a rocky start to the campaign.
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However, the squad has been rocked after it was confirmed last night that the ex-Tottenham coach has left by mutual consent.
Sun Sport understands that a number of the players are “devastated” by the news.
And, even worse, they only found out about it on social media with The Telegraph claiming that Chelsea Whatsapp groups are "in meltdown".
Striker Nicolas Jackson and Chelsea’s British-record signing Moises Caicedo are two of those who appear to have expressed their disappointment.
Last year’s summer arrival from Villarreal Jackson first posted a snap of himself and Poch that was simply captioned with two emojis of a man putting his face in his hands.
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The 17-goal hitman followed that up with a second Instagram story caption that read: “Love you coach. Wish we could stay together more (hand-over-face emoji).
“But may God continue to bless you and your family. Thanks for the advices and support, you're a true lion and a fighter, wish you all the best (heart emoji).”
Midfielder Caicedo posted a photo of him and Pochettino shaking hands and wrote: “Mister! It was a pleasure (tearful emoji).
“I wish you all the best for the future! What a person and what a coach (blue heart emoji).”
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Full-back Marc Cucurella was another who appeared shocked by the news as he posted three wide-eyed emojis with the message: “Thanks for everything Mister. Good luck in the future (blue heart emoji).”
Noni Madueke, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Mykhailo Mudryk also posted messages of gratitude - although Malang Sarr liked the club's announcement post on Instagram after he was deemed surplus to requirements by Poch and spent training with the youth side.
We also understand that some directors were caught cold by the sudden announcement of Pochettino’s exit last night.
Poch kept his final years short and sweet in a statement that read: “Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and sporting directors for the opportunity to be part of this football club’s history.
“The club is now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come.”
His exit comes after an end-of-season review with Chelsea sporting director Paul Winstanley and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali.
A disagreement over his contract was a factor in his decision to depart the Blues despite him still having another 12 months left with an option of a further year’s extension.
He wanted that to be changed to a fixed period but Chelsea were reluctant.
Blues coaches Jesus Perez, Miguel d’Agostino, Toni Jimenez and Pochettino’s son Sebastiano have also left.
Pochettino won 27 of his 51 games in charge, drawing ten and losing 14, while guiding Blues to a sixth-placed finish that secured Europa League football.
The club also played at Wembley twice after reaching an FA Cup semi-final and the Carabao Cup final, where they suffered a cruel 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.
We revealed last night that Chelsea want a “young, progressive coach” with Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna high on the wanted list.
The 38-year-old Northern Irishman has led the Tractor Boys to back-to-back promotions into the Premier League.
And he is now viewed as an ideal fit to mirror the club’s young playing squad.
That was the same philosophy that Chelsea had when taking Graham Potter from Brighton - although he was sacked after seven months.
Recently departed Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi is another in the frame and he was also considered before Pochettino took over last summer.
But the Italian’s fiery personality meant he was rejected as “not the right fit” for the ownership.
Meanwhile, Pochettino may not be out of work for very long after his departure from West London.
He is in the frame to be the new Manchester United boss two years after missing out as Erik ten Hag clings onto his job at Old Trafford.
